US-born Steak n Shake closes its only UK site

Chester’s outpost of US burger chain Steak n Shake closed its doors over the weekend, bringing an end to the restaurant’s presence in the UK.

The Frodsham Street restaurant, which was opened by husband and wife Barry and Sarah Bellamy in December 2016, closed on 5 August. It had garnered a substantial fanbase in the Cheshire town for its American-style burgers, shakes, hot dogs and fries.

“Barry, Sarah and the team would like to thank all of our loyal customers for their support,” reads a statement on the restaurant’s Facebook page.

“This is your last chance to get an authentic Steak n Shake burger in the UK."

A recent planning application submitted by Mr and Mrs Bellamy for the site proposes to convert the restaurant into student accommodation comprising six studios and a ground floor restaurant.

Despite having had just one UK site, the chain – which claims to have been championing the ‘better burger’ since 1934 – operates over 550 restaurants across the US.

It is currently expanding internationally, operating sites in France; Spain; Italy; Saudi Arabia; Portugal; and Qatar.

The company has an international development team headquartered in Monaco who are masterminding the expansion across Europe and the Middle East, with Steak ‘n Shake restaurants now open in France and Italy.

Steak n Shake’s withdrawal from the UK marks the second US burger import to leave the UK this year. ‘Better burger’ chain BurgerFi closed its two UK sites in May, despite having announced plans for a ‘considered expansion’.